I am not a smoker and have never even tried a cigarette. Nevertheless, I am empathetic to the plight of smokers, especially as airports increasingly enact anti-smoking policies.
London Heathrow has been smoke free for the last decade. LHR is also one of those airports in which finding a place to smoke is extremely difficult. The United Kingdom does not have exit controls, so once you pass through a security checkpoint, you are considered out of the country.
In order to smoke during a long layover, you must find an airport representative to escort you downstairs to passport control, pass through the UK Border, exit the building, walk for a ways, and then smoke in a designated area. That’s pretty rough.
While LHR re-introduced a designated indoor smoking area in 2013 intended for vaping, its website has been updated to state–
Heathrow is a smoke-free airport, in line with British law on smoking in enclosed public spaces.
Smoking is permitted in designated areas outside the terminal building.
…
Passengers are not permitted to use electronic cigarettes within our premises. Where you are intending to carry cigarettes in your hand luggage, please check with your airline to ensure they are allowed on board the aircraft.
Old language here.
Interestingly, the T4 map (.pdf, updated March 2017) still lists the smoking lounge…perhaps LHR just does not want to publicize it.
I stumbled upon a secret “smoking area” in T2 during my last visit.
I was flying EgyptAir and wanted to get a good shot of the aircraft prior to boarding. Consequently, I walked behind Caffé Nero near gate B44. The ground was littered with cigarettes. Best of all, it is protected from all CCTV cameras.
To be clear, I am not advocating that you break the law and smoke. I am simply noting what I observed.
There are also reports that British Airways turns a blind eye to smoking on the (indoor) balcony of the Terraces and First Class lounges in Terminal 5.
CONCLUSION
More civilized airports across Europe and Asia have smoking rooms. These specially-ventilated rooms keep smoke out of the concourse.
I’m old enough to remember trips to Germany and Greece where smoking was permitted everywhere. That’s horrible and not what I am advocating. But making a simple accommodation seems like a fair compromise. Travelers should not have the choice of sneaking a smoke in a stairwell or bathroom or losing 45 minutes for a three minute cigarette break.
Perhaps LHR should consider this if it is willing to turn a blind eye to the smoking habits I chronicle above.
Thank you so much for the info, especially with you as a non-smoker willing to help us sustain our nasty habit, that is very big of you. I will look for these places in a few weeks while on a layover between cdg and bos, I will need it to help cope with BA economy class!
Smoking are in T2 decide gate A1 and T4 behind Burberry store
Sensible. Even as a non smoker, I can see that having people become much more tense because they want a smoke is in nobody’s interest. The easiest thing to do is have some secure outdoor area that has some form of roof.
LHR cannot have an indoor smoking room as that would be illegal. If there were to be a smoking area, it would have to be outside – tricky when you are airside.
Keflavik manage to have one. It’s not difficult at all.
Hopefully LHR becomes aware and cuts this off. Nice littering on the floor….standard operating procedure for an inconsiderate smoker. They think the entire world is a trash receptacle for their fowl nasty habit.
ALL smoking needs to be banned from ALL airports. Those stickerette smoking rooms are about as effective as a non smoking section of a swimming pool.
Dear Larry, fowl is a type of bird, and I’m genuinely interested about how to smoke in a swimming pool as I’ve never been able to figure that one out! Please share how that works! Looking forward to your response!
Thats the point though about the swimming pool.
The rights of smokers extend from the tops of their heads, to the bottom of their feet; however, when their foul and nauseating second hand cigarette smoke, extends to other people’s private spaces, then their rights effectively end. Several months ago, I landed at LaGuardia Airport, and had to wait for a limo service, near the taxicab waiting area. I had to endure this selfish women’s second hand smoke, while I waited for the limo. The latter problem would not have occurred, if the Port Authority of NY, would have prohibited smoking in that area. They have the right to do so, on their outside property. I have no empathy or sympathy for people with nicotine habits. The forty story office building which I previously worked at, was the first one in the USA to ban smoking entirely, in 1988. We caught some people smoking in the staircases and in the bathroom, but they were dealt with. Also, we made sure that smokers stopped standing in front of the building, with their cigarettes, as they had to move to the side. In Europe, in many places, they don’t know the meaning of no smoking in restaurants. If it wasn’t for the powerful tobacco lobby, the FDA would regulate the production and sale of cigarettes. It is a disgusting, filthy, and unhealthy habit, which causes hundreds of thousands of premature deaths each year in the USA.
If smokers had a separately ventilated, designated INDOOR room to smoke, they would not all huddle outside polluting our breathing space in which we cannot avoid them if walking by. Second hand smoke would be reduced greatly!
Thank you for sharing!!
I’m pretty sure the taxis near you put out worse pollutants in greater volume than smokers ever would. And you were waiting for a limo? All that pollution just to move your entitled ass to some plush hotel?
But please, go ahead and lecture everyone about where their rights end.
We have time.
it is funny that people think they have a monopoly on air – should I have a say on who drives what or what one eats? If you do not like the smell move on and if you are outside – go in
Maybe if tobacco was an illegal substance things would be easier for non smokers. We should all try to make tobacco illegal like marijuana or any other drugs!
To: No-One of any importance- I try to respect other people’s opinions, and to keep the responses on this site civil. The limo which I was waiting for was an electric vehicle; hence, there was no pollution. You didn’t even know what kind of a car that I took, before expounding your unfounded and unsubstantiated allegations about pollution. As far as your phraseology “entitled ass”, does it bother you that I took a nice, clean cab, with a very courteous driver? There is an old saying that “for money, you get honey”. If I can afford to take a limo, instead of a taxi, that is my business, and not yours. Incidentally, regarding smokers, I’d like to tell you a story about cigarettes. Over fifty years ago, after a tiring flight on Braniff Airways, from JFK, to San Antonio, Texas, our squadron reported for training at Lackland Air Force Base. There, we were met by one tough African-American drill Sergeant. I remember what he told us. He stated “If you guys want to smoke now, I won’t say anything. However, if I catch any of you with a cigarette, I’ll shove it down your — damn throats”. I really took my hat off to that gentleman, as he was 100% right. As per your request, I am going to repeat what I stated in my earlier message; that is, smokers rights extend from the top of their heads to the bottom of their feet. However, when their second hand cigarette smoke (which causes cancer, and other diseases) emanates into other people’s directions, then their rights effectively end. P.S. I did not stay at a plush hotel, as you assumed that I did. However, the next time that I go into Manhattan, I’ll stay at a plush hotel (Trump Hotel), and I’ll be thinking of you!
You obviously dont care about anyone elses opinions. Your high minded style of writing and barely disguised disgust show that.
There are those who start smoking for various reasons, not all of them because they enjoy smokingEg, I started smoking due to stress caused due to a horrendous family situation. I have switched over to vaping for my own health. Stress is also a killer, and I am sure that interacting with such a “thoughtful” person like yourself is the cause of a few deaths every year. Cheers!
“Travelers should not have the choice of sneaking a smoke in a stairwell or bathroom or losing 45 minutes for a three minute cigarette break.”
Also, with proper smoking sections (with ashtrays) you could avoid having entrances littered with cigarette butts.
I landed at LHR Terminal 3 about two hours ago. Needed to get to Terminal 5 for my next flight. Followed the signs and lo & behold before the bus boarding point was a sign that said “Smoking Area” with an arrow pointing the way. It’s outdoors but protected from the rain. It’s nothing more than a cage with ashtrays … but after a 9 hour flight it was gorgeous!! Thank you Heathrow for this new bonus!!
Indeed, I’ve got a follow-up post on this.
You got a link to your follow-up post ? As Rev Craig stated we also hit the “smoking area cage” outside T3 just before taking the bus transfer to T5. I wonder if this also applies in the opposite direction when transferring from T5 to T3 – I sincerely hope so 🙂
On an earlier occurrence while catching my connection flight in T5 I did not exit at the UK border immediately (which I did on numerous occasions, holding an EU passport which goes very smooth) as I wanted to get my company settled in the lounge first for our 5 hour layover, and went through security first. Getting out of T5 once you are passed security is really a pain.
You need to be escorted out. First you need to ask someone at the BA customer service desk and they escort you out every 30 minutes – or when they please, your mileage may vary – through the small door next to the Mont Blanc store. Not sure why this measure is in place at all. All other airports I know of allow you to do so with the penalty to have to go through security again – but that’s a choice one makes for themselves.
It’s just a witch hunt against smokers. How hard is it to have a small room (or one of those cages) to let people have their smoke ? What’s next, no more alcohol ?
I’ll try to put it up this week.
Is a smoking area for terminal 2 LHR please someone let me know. Long flight to cape town ìn December
No, there is not. Only in 4.
I am currently here at the said location beside nero cafe but they put like a barricade so no one can enter. it sucks haha
As the wife of a smoker I really think that designated places should be available. We also found “the cage” when connecting to Terminal 3 and it was a lifesaver for me.
I don’t smoke but currently sitting in Terminal 5 after 10 hour flight, waiting 3 hours for connection makes uncomfortable situation – not even e-cigs are allowed.
Come on Heathrow – an alcoholic can get a drink but a smoker can’t have somewhere to have a cigarette. Take a leaf out of Aberdeen Dyce Airport book and charge £1 to access smoking area with proceeds going to local charity
Hi, I read your text and love it, you are totally right… I am smoker but I wouldn’t like that smoking is allowed everywhere… Also I am from Serbia and smoking is the big part of our culture, so in that way to don’t have even one smoking room in Terminal 5 they are breaking my human rights… And I don’t have UK visa that I can go out and smoke… Sad…
Smoking area at Heathrow airport at Terminal 4 is from ages.
The reason why is only there … Arabic people payed for it.
Conclusion is:
If you have a money even smoking free airport can make you whatever you need and want
Just landed from SFO at T3 and needed to transfer to T5 for connecting flight. There is an outdoor smoking area right where you get in to the bus to T5! It’s like a small outdoor cage. Good find.
I so hope it is still there – landing at T3 and have to get to T5. Don’t know if you can go outside first. Have British passport and 6 hours till connecting flight.
I so hope it is still there – landing at T3 and have to get to T5. Don’t know if you can go outside first. Have British passport and 6 hours till connecting flight.
Smoking cage at T3 is still open. I used it in bound and outbound. Flights in T5 & out T3 you go through security once you leave. Not sure if you can go back out once you are in T3 and go back through security.
Any more info on smoking at the Concorde room or first wing? Surely my hard earned first ticket gets me something? Oh and I don’t don’t smoke other half does so it’s not easy when they have a phobia of airports.
@Boaz: I’d try it and hope and no one says anything.
T3 area is gone as of today.
Seriously?
Gone ??????????? What a fuc…. Airport. Got a flight in august. Can anybody take a look in T3.
Thanks
I strongly doubt the T4 area is gone. You may have to go there.
Wubba dub dub thanks for tip yang peng ting Larry!
They’ve got a sign up saying 24hr surveillance at your t2 cafe Nero sweet spot but forget em eh! Eh! Ehhhhh
Totally just broke the law but nobody suffered
Just goes to show, laws are idiosyncratic and cafe Nero is the worst coffee this side of a coal mine
Wubba dub dub
I was quite curious about your T2 area description so wandered around to have a look, I couldn’t find the T2 “hidden” (and I may add, against the law) smoking area next to cafe Nero, been up and down near gate B44 and went inside the cafe nero lounge. I think it’s gone?
Is the smoking cage at terminal 3 outside where the Connections buses are really gone?
I’m a Non smoker – just to let everyone know there is a Proper Smoking area at Heathrow airport T4. My hubby is a smoker and we had a 6 hour layover. We plan to go thru the immigration so he can have a smoke outside the airport. When we reached the immigration, the officer said if you prefer not to go thru the immigration, you can go to T4. We took the bus fm T5 to T4 (is quite far and you need to change shuttle bus at T2 and it could take up to 30-40 min as the bus might need to stop n wait for the plane to taxi so have at least 2-2.5 hours of layover). Once arrived T4, you need to go thru security and the designated smoking area is 20 steps away. Have a smoke, go grab a bite upstairs, come back for another smoke, then head to your departure terminal. We asked so many staff at the airport and everyone just said it’s a non smoking airport so it seems like they are not allow to tell anyone about this designated smoking area at T4!!
If us smokers didnt smoke in the uk who do you think would pay for our great nhs
Hopefully the cage outside terminal 3 at connections to terminal 5 is still there and allows smoking without having to go through passport control as my 2.5 hour layover will probably not give me enough time to go from arriving at terminal 3 to terminal 4 to smoke, and then on to terminal 5 to depart.
Any recent observations/experiences? Thanks.
Thanks 🙂 For the tip. Just found the legal smoking area in T4.
What about it?
(10 June ’22) There is a smoking area in Heathrow T2 airside..it’s down a level next to gate A1
Which level? a direction would help to navigate. I have connecting flight coming by Air Canada and onwards united so checking if the gate is closely to take a quick break
Once you re-clear security, proceed upstairs and when you reach the big hall, with ticket desks on the right and food options on the left, you’ll see a sign for the smoking area, which will require you to walk over toward the gates and then proceed downstairs.